Urvashi Barooah’s Journey to Success in Venture Despite Universal Doubt

In 2015, Urvashi Barooah set her sights on an MBA with the ambition of entering venture capital, despite facing unanimous rejections and skepticism about her ambitions. Unwavering, she continued to pursue her goals.

Fast forward to nearly a decade later, at 33, Barooah has been elevated to the role of partner at Redpoint, a role she ascends to after joining the team as an associate and later becoming a principal in the firm. Redpoint operates out of Silicon Valley and is investing from its $650 million ninth fund, with Barooah as one of its trio of partners focusing on early-stage ventures.

Speaking to TechCrunch, Barooah acknowledged the elements of truth in the skepticism she encountered but remained grateful for following her instincts. Breaking into the tight-knit venture capital industry from her distant roots in Guwahati, India, was no small feat, especially without direct connections in Silicon Valley.

“The thought of it was daunting at times,” Barooah admitted. “I was an outsider with little grasp of the on-the-ground realities, armed only with what was written in publications.”

Raised in the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati, Barooah grew up in an entrepreneurial household, which molded her ambitions from a young age. Despite considering starting her own venture, she chose to amplify her impact by partnering with founders.

Her second MBA application round in 2017, post-consulting work, was successful. Wharton accepted her, where she immersed herself in understanding the nuances of the venture world. This included engaging with entrepreneurs, formulating investment theses, and reaching out to venture capitalists directly.

Persistence paid off after about 50 cold calls, securing an internship with Primary Venture Partners in New York and another opportunity at Redpoint. This marked the beginning of her enduring relationship with the firm.

For Barooah, her entrepreneurial lineage didn’t directly introduce her to venture capital, yet it endowed her with resilience and insights valuable to her venture capital journey. Witnessing her parents’ ventures flourish and sometimes falter provided firsthand experience in the realities of business management.

Among the companies in Barooah’s portfolio are Dune Analytics, Offchain Labs, and The Rounds, all reflecting her investment acumen. And with more investments on the horizon, including board responsibilities, she continues to refine her strategic vision.

Barooah recounts her evolution over the past four years from a novice in venture capitalism to a partner with an intuitive grasp of successful ventures. Her journey underscores the principle that in venture capital, success often means betting on the unconventional and proving skeptics wrong.

Looking ahead, Barooah is enthusiastic about expanding her portfolio and embracing her new responsibilities as a partner, committed to supporting founders through their challenges.